All foundation leaders have one thing in common: the desire to make a difference. But achieving impact requires good planning, intentional work, and a drive to keep learning and improving. This primer will help you undertake a thoughtful planning process that answers two important questions: What do we want to accomplish with our limited resources,... Read More
This discussion guide walks you through one foundation’s process of engaging in evaluation. Although this foundation is fictitious, it represents many small funders across the country. Using this guide, you’ll explore how this foundation: Engages in a strategic planning process. Keeps evaluation manageable. Learns and improves. The guide also features relevant Exponent Philanthropy resources as... Read More
Understand Your Grantees’ Perspectives Exponent Philanthropy’s Grantee and Applicant Perception Survey (GAPS) offers foundations a way to gather feedback from grantees and applicants on their processes, communication, and impact. The survey includes both multiple-choice and open-ended questions, allowing foundations to assess key areas like responsiveness, clarity, fairness, and collaboration. Multiple-choice questions cover topics such as: ... Read More
This bundle of four primers has valuable information about overseeing your foundation’s investments. These primers include: Getting It Done: The Who and How of Small Foundation Investing Creating a Strategy and Plan for Your Foundation’s Investing: Developing and Using an Investment Policy Statement (IPS) Essentials of Impact Investing: A Guide for Small Staffed Foundations Leveraging... Read More
For foundations, making an impact requires good planning, intentional work toward a goal, and a drive to keep learning and improving. Evaluation is a critical tool along the way. This primer makes the case for evaluation as a powerful tool for your foundation. It will: Define impact and evaluation. Discuss the many reasons to incorporate... Read More
New staff members can offer your foundation an opportunity to deepen its capacity, broaden its perspective, and increase its impact. In this primer, you’ll find an overview of the issues a foundation should weigh at each step of the hiring process. These steps include: Recruiting Interviewing Setting compensation Hiring New employee orientation Whether you are... Read More